NCJ Number
66191
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE IMPACT AND INNOVATIVE QUALITIES OF THE MASSIVE FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN COMBATING CRIME UNDER THE SAFE STREETS ACT OF 1968 ARE CRITIQUED AND PLANNING SUGGESTIONS ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENCE THAT THE FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN CRIME FIGHTING SINCE 1968 HAS DONE MORE THAN GENERATE NEW TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND RECYCLE OLD KNOWLEDGE. WHAT IS NEEDED IN THE OPERATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SECTORS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS AN EXAMINATION OF WHERE WE STAND IN REFERENCE TO OUR HISTORY, INCLUDING THE EVOLUTION OF OUR ASSUMPTIONS, PROFESSIONAL ROLES, ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND APPROACHES TO DEALING WITH CRIME. CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION SHOULD BE EXAMINED FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY'S ULTIMATE PROBLEMSOLVING NEEDS. MONEY SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE INVESTED IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH, BUT PRIMARILY AT THE APPLICATION LEVEL. THE FOCUS SHOULD BE UPON TRANSLATING KNOWLEDGE INTO EFFECTIVE SOCIAL ACTION. FEVERISH EFFORTS TO RESOLVE LONG-STANDING PROBLEMS IMMEDIATELY SHOULD BE TEMPERED WITH REALISTIC LONG-TERM PROGRAMS THAT INVOLVE GRADUAL CHANGE. (RCB)